Current Action Projects

The goal of this action project is to develop and implement a comprehensive approach to providing financial literacy education to Southwestern Illinois College students. Financial literacy as defined by the President’s Council on Financial Literacy (2008) is the “ability to use knowledge and skills to manage financial resources effectively for a lifetime of financial well-being” (PACFL, 2008). The assumption is that with greater knowledge of personal financial management, students will be able to make more informed decisions regarding college payment options and will be more likely to persist in their educational goals.

Data gathered in a previous AQIP Action Project suggest that
improvements in internal communication would provide opportunities to achieve
elevated levels of job satisfaction by faculty and staff and enhance decision
making associated with their respective tasks. Improved decision making in
functional areas will ultimately improve the college's ability to meet its
institutional goals.

The goal of this project is to develop and implement an internal
communication plan that:

Improves communications within and between administration, faculty
and staff;

This project will develop and implement a comprehensive and
systematic conceptual framework for establishing an institutional Knowledge
Management System (KMS). The vision is to (a) crystalize and improve upon
“knowing what we know” and (b) improve our ability to provide information that
is timely, relevant, concise, and actionable. The KMS will be constructed primarily
by using existing software tools and information systems that are currently
supported by the college. The initial loading of the KMS will be based on the
needs of the institution’s strategic initiatives (e.g., student persistence and
retention).

The Framework, strategies and activities will:

Improve current data, document and knowledge management practices
and processes.

Quality academic advising is an essential component of the overall
student support system needs of community college students. As student loan
debt continues to rise and the need for timely student program completion is
heightened, a strong foundation in academic advising is necessary. This project
undertakes an identified need established as a result of a previous Action Project
entitled: Student Retention, where the Academic Advisor role was identified as
a need and subsequently implemented at the institution.

This project is designed to advance that foundation and structure
and aligns with the institution’s strategic priorities related to Student
Success and Helping Students Learn. Project outcomes will also inform the
college’s assessment of student learning outcomes attained as a result of
participation in co-curricular activities. Additionally, student feedback
obtained during the project will assist in the college’s ongoing commitment to
continuous quality improvements in meeting student and stakeholder needs.